Page 37 of Forgiving Fate

“Welcome back Lan. We missed you, bro,” Noah says, walking over, hugging me and handing me a plate.

I hug him back and move to take a seat on the recliner facing Lo and Gray. Noah finishes passing out food and drinks and takes the chaise, throwing his long legs over the side.

They all stare at me as I eat and I know they are all wanting to ask but don’t know how.

I know they mean well, but I am so on edge right now, I can feel myself seconds from snapping. The food is doing nothing to curb the aching need inside my veins. So instead of dragging this out, I decide to get it all on the table so I can go home.

Grayson rubs Lo’s back and, judging by the look on her face, I can tell she is in pain, probably in more ways than one. I swallow the anger and decide the last thing she needs is asshole Landon.

“How’s the head Lo?” I ask.

She shrugs and tears fill her eyes. Tossing her glasses on the cushion beside her, she turns and buries her face in Grayson’sneck and I look at him. Running his hand up and down her back, he takes his hat off, placing it on the back of the couch, and runs a tattooed hand down the side of her face. Since I’ve been gone, it looks like he has added wings to the cursive L on his ring finger.

This man is obsessed with his fiancée. Not that I blame him. Logan is exactly what he needed.

He whispers something else and Lo nods. He holds her tighter, then turns to lock his gaze with mine. “She’s okay. The hit triggered a nasty migraine and she refused to let me take her to the hospital, so we are waiting for her meds to kick in.”

Leaning forward, resting my elbows on my knees, I scrub my hands down my face. I toss my hat on the table in front of me and the brim sends an echo through the living room. Logan jumps. “Shit. Sorry Lo.”

Logan turns and shakes her head. Tears stain her face and I feel like shit. “Not your fault. This night just has me on edge. And the migraine isn’t helping.” She pauses and I know exactly what she wants to say, but doesn’t.

Sitting back in the chair, I glance at Noah. He swipes sauce from his face and turns to sit right in the chair. “Everyone is good. Rowe is at the hospital with Carter. He has a broken leg, but the doctors will be releasing him soon. Mrs. Tanner is with her husband at the hospital. They have everything set up to go back to Portland after she gets checked out. They told me to tell you thank you and to call them when you have a chance so they can thank you properly. Wes has the dickhead downstairs and is doing his freaky voodoo shit. He said don’t bother him unless someone is dying.”

Typical Wes. The house must have been rough if he is refusing to come up to discuss everything.

“I’ll call them in the morning. I have to go into the city, so if they are still there, I will stop by.”

Everyone nods, and I can see the unasked questions begging to be answered.

Shifting my attention back to Lo and Gray. He pulls out his phone and types one handed, and I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Gray: Be honest, but don’t be a dick.

Rolling my eyes, I drop my phone in my lap. Clearing my throat, Logan turns to look at me. All eyes are on me as I say, “She is safe. But she is far from okay. I have no idea what that asshole did to her, but she was silent most of the way here. Her mind isn’t in the right place to deal with anything, and tonight proved that.

“I know I haven’t known her for as long as you have Lo, but she needs space and time. She is trying really hard, but you need to give her time to separate whatever that monster did to her from you. None of what happened is your fault, but I don’t think her mind is seeing it that way right now. So I think the best thing for her right now is to let her come to you.”

Logan nods. “I feel so fucking bad. She wouldn’t be like this if I wasn’t her friend. I wish I could go back in time and never meet her, but the idea of never meeting her hurts just as bad. That girl saved me from my lowest moments and she had no idea she was even doing it. I just want to take all the pain away.” She pauses to wipe the tears off her face. “But you’re right. I need to give her space. I shouldn’t have said anything to her tonight, but I was just so happy to see her, I wasn’t thinking. And I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me, Lo. I barely know her. I was just the person who got her back safely. I picked up on a few of her mannerisms along the way and in the few instances she said something. But she is still your best friend. You just have to give her a chance to see that.”

“I know. Thanks Lan. You did a great job.”

An odd sense of pride fills my chest at her words. I think I did more damage than anything, but she seems to think otherwise.

“Dang Lando. When did you become so philosophical and in touch with emotions and shit?” Noah says, not trying to hide his laugh.

We all laugh and the tension leaves the room. Logan flashes me a smile, and Gray sends me an appreciative nod.

I sit there for a little while longer while they catch me up on the missions that went down while I was gone. And when a yawn escapes me, I use that excuse to leave.

Hopping in my truck, I relax into the seat.

Finally.

Going faster than I should at this time of night, I’m home in minutes. I pull into the driveway and hit the garage button on the visor.

I bought this place from an older couple right after I signed my contract with Cliff Haven PD. It’s not some tiny cabin in the woods or big like my parents’ place. There’s just the right amount of space for me and a few extra rooms my brothers use if they ever need a place to stay.

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